TOM Rolfe has achieved a great deal in the world of entertainment. This year he celebrates ten years in the business as writer, director, producer, children’s party entertainer, teacher of circus skills and part of a comedy duo – and he's still just 25, writes Jan Hunter.

The entertainer, who grew up in New Marske and Redcar, recently enjoyed a successful run at Northallerton Forum with Snow White and is now writing and creating a Hallowe’en show.

His writing is so successful there is a demand for his scripts. His magic touch lies in knowledge and understanding of children and what kind of shows they respond to best.

“I don’t copy old scripts,” he said. “I source my material and take an old idea or routine and bring it up to date. Having two younger brothers helps.

"A pantomime has to be fun and not too long, and there should be audience interaction on every page. I also involve local children and show them how a performance works and they are encouraged to be involved and watch the professionals rehearse. I will know by their reaction if something is working.”

As a child he belonged to Billingham Forum drama club and was involved in the ensemble selected for professional pantos. His interest in circus skills began when the professional illusionist, Andrew Van Buren, taught him to juggle between performances.

At the age of six he was writing plays and performing them at home on a little stage his father built. Later he studied performing arts and technical theatre at Middlesbrough College.

While still at school had formed his own company, offering his services as an entertainer and teacher of circus skills at gala days, parties and in schools.

He had no funding, so took a job as pot washer in a pub, but demand grew and in 2014 he took a gamble and revived seaside summer variety, the first in Redcar for 50 years, containing music hall, comedy and ventriloquist Ward Allen with Roger the Dog.

Last year he produced Jack and the Beanstalk between touring with comedy act Double Trouble with co-performer Damian Patton, nephew of the Chuckle Brothers,

Then came this year's Snow White. “I don’t usually hold auditions,” he said, “and the professional actors I work with are people I have known a long time.

"I don’t get funding so money from the previous production goes into the next project paying for set, technical staff and actors.

"We change local gags from place to place, for instance in Redcar we talked about parmos, and in Northallerton, it was Bettys. I don’t believe in separate jokes for adults and children. If a joke isn’t suitable to explain to a child, I don’t include it.”

He works all the time, even writing in dressing rooms when not on stage. His new show, The Curse of the Haunted Pirate Ship, will be performed in October. At Christmas, Double Trouble will play the Ugly Sisters in pantomime at Whitley Bay.

Jan Hunter